Hunter residents invited to SES flood forums

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter residents are being encouraged to attend a series of community flood forums, starting this Saturday.

It's a chance to hear from the State Emergency Service and provide feedback from the community on past and future flood responses.

The first local event is being hosted at Wollombi RFS Shed at 12:30pm on Sunday 23 October.

It'll visit Broke Community Hall at 12:30pm on Saturday 5 November, and Hinton School of Arts at 12:30pm on Sunday 6 November.

Broke Hosts First Village Fair after July Floods

BY DARCY MCGAVIN

Broke will be holding its annual Village Fair and Vintage Car Display this Sunday, helping community morale and local businesses after damaging flooding in July.

The event is expected to bring in 5,000 to 6,000 people and will host over 300 vintage cars and motorbikes and 60 stalls, with music, whip cracking, bush poetry, food trucks, markets and artisan stalls.   

Broke Village Fair President Jody Derrick says people are keen to get out and about.

"It'll be a great opportunity for people to get together and have a chat about good things," she said. "There's been a lot of doom and gloom so it will be great for locals to get together and see its not all doom and gloom."

"We have some arts and woodwork. We'll have Stan Ray doing some chainsaw displays. There's plenty to see and lots of live entertainment all day."

The event will be open at 9am and entry is a gold coin donation.  

Image credit: Broke Village Fair.

Back Home flood grants opened up for Hunter residents

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter residents displaced by the recent floods now have access to grants of up to $20,000, after the Back Home scheme was extended to the region.

Renters, landlords, and homeowners across Cessnock, Maitland, Port Stephens, and Singleton are now eligible in the Federal-State joint initiative.

The money can go toward a range of clean-up costs, including utility inspection and reconnection, replacement or repairs of household appliances or computers and tools, or essential structural repairs.

Tenants can also use the money to move to a new property altogether.

Broke community launches weekend flood appeal

BY DAKOTA TAIT

We're being urged to visit Broke this weekend, as businesses prepare to reopen for the first time since the devastating flood event.

The flood appeal will be running from the 15th to the 17th of July, in hopes to raise money for the township, where more than 50 houses were severely impacted.

It's believed the flood on July 6 was the worst flood in the village's 198-year history.

Local businesses, including winery cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation, are urging people to spend a weekend and spend money in the region.

Winemaker and businessman Andrew Margan says he's hoping the community comes out in support.

"The community of Broke, government bodies, and all of the people who have been on the ground helping to try and put our wonderful community back together again can only do so much," he said.

"We urge people to come and visit the cellar doors and restaurants, buy wines online or in retail outlets. 

"We are also asking for donations via our community Gofundme, with 100% of funds going directly to those left without homes and insurance policies that don’t cover flood damage."

Moderate Flood Warning Issued for Wollombi Brook Area

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A moderate flood warning has been forecast for the Wollombi Brook area.

The flooding will impact the towns and surrounding areas of Broke, Bulga, Laguna, Millfield, Wollombi, Brickmans Bridge, Ellalong, and Paxton.

The Wollombi Brook at Bulga may peak near 3.70 metres around 7:00 pm on Tuesday with moderate flooding.

The Wollombi Brook at Wollombi is expected to remain below the minor flood level.

The Bureau says people in areas likely to be impacted by flooding in Low-lying areas of Wollombi Brook Area should prepare for potential isolation and possible evacuation.

People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should consider:

• Refraining from driving or walking through flood water   
• Road closures and flood isolation may impact on work, family and educational commitments
•  Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on NSW SES Hunter Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website   
• If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top 
• If you are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so  
• Securing outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you 
• Farmers should move machinery, livestock, pumps and fodder to flood free ground  

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Broke

BY IAN CROUCH

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a 20-year-old man died in a head-on smash at Broke.

He was riding his motorbike on Wollombi Road just before midday on Sunday when he collided with an oncoming Toyota Hilux ute, which overturned.

The young man died at the scene.

A couple in the ute managed to free themselves - they were taken to the John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.


Hunter Valley police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash.

Fatal Crash At Broke Picture: NBN